Michelle D'Arcy

Michelle D'Arcy is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at Trinity College Dublin. Her research focuses on state capacity, property rights, taxation, and development in Africa and early modern Europe. She leads projects such as 'Credible Enforcement before Credible Commitment' and 'Devolution and Local Democracy in Kenya,' funded by the Swedish Research Council and the Swedish International Centre for Local Democracy. Her work explores institutional sequencing, democratic governance, and the impact of historical state structures on modern policies.

Education: Details not explicitly provided in the text.

Research Interests: Dr. D'Arcy investigates how historical institutional frameworks shape contemporary political and economic outcomes. Key themes include state-building, taxation systems, devolution processes, and gender dynamics in state formation. Her work bridges comparative politics, development studies, and historical analysis.

Publications: Her recent work emphasizes cadastres' role in economic growth, gender in early modern state formation, and taxation in sub-Saharan Africa. These studies highlight interdisciplinary approaches, combining historical data with contemporary case studies.

• Awards:
  • Trinity Creative and Visual Arts Fund Award (2020)
  • Equality Fund Award (2018)
  • Political Science Association of Ireland Prize for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (2016)
• Grants: Swedish Research Council (2014-2018), Swedish International Centre for Local Democracy (2013-2015)

Dr. D'Arcy collaborates on initiatives to improve local democracy and accountability in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Kenya. Her research underscores the interconnectedness of historical governance structures and modern socio-economic challenges.